Elvis Impersonator and Hoarder, Cary, to be featured on the next episode of TLC’s ‘Hoarding: Buried Alive.’

On the next episode of TLC’s ‘Hoarding: Buried Alive’ we will enter the life of Cary, a 51-year old Elvis impersonator who hoards all things ELVIS! On the stage Cary is the picture of confidence, but behind the doors of his New York apartment, we see that he has lost control. His walls are plastered with Elvis memorabilia, and every nook and cranny is filled with everything Elvis.

In the sneak peek of the Elvis episode, we see that Cary’s walls are completely plastered with Elvis newspaper clippings. After being confronted we see Cary high in emotions declare, “I can’t do this, I’m not ready.”

Oftentimes a death in the family or other trauma is the root of the hoarding behaviors. Usually people have a predisposition for hoarding behaviors, but a loss can really set off the hoarding behaviors. For Cary, it was the death of his mother, also an Elvis fan, in 1992 that really set things off.

Hoarding behaviors are also strongly associated with Major Depression. In fact, 57% of hoarders also have Major Depression. Cary does have depressive symptoms in addition to the hoarding behaviors.

In Cary’s case, he also falls on the lower end of the autism spectrum, which can explain his obession with Elvis. One symptoms of autism is a preoccupation with a certain topic.

With the help of licensed psychologist Dr. Rebecca Beaton and professional organizer Leslie Josel, Cary is challenged to make a change on the July 8th episode of TLC’s ‘Hoarding: Buried Alive.’ This is going to be a tough challenge for them since Cary feels, “I’d rather be a poor man with garbage than a poor man with nothing.”

About The Episode:

Hoarding: Buried AliveThis is Garbage LandTV-PG (L), CC
Compulsive hoarder and Elvis impersonator, Cary, spends his days collecting Elvis memorabilia. But volatile relationships with friends and a paralyzing obsession with the king of rock and roll has left his New York City apartment virtually uninhabitable.